Sven-goran Eriksson said his young team would be nearing their peak by the time of the Euro 2004 finals as he re-emphasised his long-term commitment to England.

Sven-goran Eriksson said his young team would be nearing their peak by the time of the Euro 2004 finals as he re-emphasised his long-term commitment to England.

Eriksson's repeated insistence that he is staying put with England after the World Cup seems to have finally been heeded after he was linked with the Manchester United post that will fall vacant this summer.

However, if any further proof was needed as to why the Swede is determined to follow through the development of the national side, it came after yesterday's Euro 2004 qualifying draw in Portugal.

The immediate headlines were understandably made by the security issues surrounding England's draw against Turkey, as well as Macedonia, Slovakia and Liechtenstein.

There was also the enticing prospect of Scotland's prospective new coach Berti Vogts up against his native Germany, as well as Iceland, Lithuania and the Faroe Islands.

But while Wales take on Italy, Northern Ireland are to relive their 1982 World Cup high-point against Spain and the Republic face Russia, Eriksson was proving just how far ahead he is already planning.

The England coach is clearly looking to make an impact at this summer's World Cup, but he also accepts that the next European Championships and the 2006 World Cup are more realistic targets as he has such a young squad.

He said: "At the World Cup, we will probably have one of the youngest teams there. If you see the statistics, normally the teams who win tournaments are an average age of 28 or 29.

"But I hope we will do well at the World Cup, I'm not saying we won't try to win that first, even though it will be very difficult."

Eriksson led the appeals for calm after being paired with Turkey in the wake of the killings of two Leeds fans in 2000, clashes between Arsenal and Galatasaray fans soon afterwards and further trouble at the Euro 2000 finals.

He added: "For football, of course, it's very important that there is no trouble. To have problems with supporters today is crazy.

Detailed talks will take place between the Football Association and their Turkish counterparts to ensure the safety of both teams and any visiting fans that are allowed to travel.

Then again, Eriksson was also able to review a draw which - in contrast to the World Cup finals draw last month - is overwhelmingly positive as France, Italy, Germany and Spain were all avoided.

"I wouldn't say the draw is easy but I'm a bit happier than I was after the draw in Korea last month," he reflected.

Italy, Germany and Spain, however, were exactly the opposition set to be faced by Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

Vogts is expected to take over from Craig Brown this summer at the latest and Scottish FA president Jack McGinn declared that the draw was sure to excite their chosen appointee.

"It will make the Germans think a bit as well that here's their former hero set to plot their downfall," he added with a grin.

Germany coach Rudi Voeller, who played under Vogts at the 1994 World Cup, looked ahead to meeting the "old fox" in what he described as a "sensational draw".